REACTION | Hard work beginning to pay off says Owers

Torquay United head coach Gary Owers expressed his delight after the Gulls gained a valuable point at home to National League high-flyers Aldershot Town.

United were forced to work hard in what was an end-to-end affair with both sides having their fair share of the chances to win the game.

“I thought it was a good solid performance from us,” said Owers. “Particularly in the second half where I thought we took the game to Aldershot a little bit more than we did and we may have just nicked it in the end, although I have to say we’re playing against a very good team and I’m pleased that in the last three games we’ve conceded no goals.

“They’ve [Aldershot] had a tough week and we knew that and we finished the game strongly which is a credit to our players. They’ve worked really hard on the training ground over a number of weeks now and hopefully, we can bare the fruits of our labour.

United have now taken seven points from their last three games and Owers believes the improvement to the squad’s fitness levels has been key to the club’s upturn in form.

“New managers come in and it’s the first thing they say, it’s a bit of a cliché, that the players need to be fitter. We played Barrow and started really brightly, went a goal up and I remember turning around to Martin and saying ‘we’re done’, we were miles off it.

“We’ve put that right together with more organisation and the will of the players. They’ve had a tough season and now we’ve had a three-game unbeaten run and we have to try and build on that.”

Liam Davis was named as the Man of the Match during the goalless draw but the Gulls’ head coach was full of praise for his entire squad.

“I couldn’t fault anyone today if I’m honest. The lads at the back are defending resolutely, a couple of great blocks. Youngy and Damo are winning second balls and putting their foot in in the middle of the park. We’re working hard from the top of the pitch really. Everybody has put a shift in, everybody’s being honest and that’s all I can ask.”